On November 20, 2003, KSARDA was invited to the Kansas Turnpike Memorial in honor of the 6 victims who perished
in the Emporia/Turnpike flood in August/September 2003. The memorial park at the Matfield Green service area
has a special memorial in honor of Al Larsen, who died while trying to save victims stranded by the rising waters.
Some of the KSARDA team members from both the Northern and Southern Region that aided in the search effort
were able to attend the memorial.
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Sandi spoke with Governor Sebilius before the memorial ceremony. The Governor recognized KSARDAs efforts with a thank you note following the search. Our thoughts and prayers continue to go out to the victims families of this devestating tragedy.
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| Mike Robertson & K9 Gustav, Sandi Stelz & K9 Sheena, and Vicki Walton stand next to the Al Larsen Memorial. | Robert Rogers' sister, Mary, hugs Sheena and thanks her for helping locate Robert's wife, Melissa, in the flood. |
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| Sandi, and Robert's Sister-in-Law and nieces pose with K9 Sheena | Sandi talks to Al Larsen's mother and family with Ryan Lane nearby |
One year after the Emporia/Turnpike Flood, Al Larsen's
Memorial was dedicated in honor of his efforts to save motorists from the flash flood that occurred near Jacob's
Creek and took his life. Al's family and Robert Rogers, who tragically lost 5 of his family members in the flood,
and his family were present for the dedication. KSARDA was invited by Captain Mark Conboy of the Kansas Highway
Patrol, who was one of the lead officers of the tragedy.
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| Mike, Sandi and K9s pose with Captain Mark Conboy and Robert Rogers |
Robert speaks to the crowd during the memorial. |
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| Mike talks to Robert Rogers brother, while Robert's nieces hug Gustav |
Sandi talks to Debbie Downey, Al's sister, her daughter, Allie, along with Al's mother, Betty Nordby. |
KSARDA members Sandi Stelz and K9 Sheena, Mike Robertson and K9 Gustav, and Vicki Walton attended the memorial.
Family members were very touched that our team attended and spent a long time talking with our team and thanking
them for their efforts in locating their loved ones during the tragedy. KSARDA members felt honored to be invited
and were thankful for the opportunity to meet Robert Rogers and Al Larsen's family. KSARDA also got to meet
Ryan Lane, who also assisted in saving motorists during the flash flood. After all of the time spent in training
our search dogs, times like this leave a special place in our hearts knowing how much our efforts help and touch
others lives and is the reason we are all volunteers in search and rescue. The victims and their families will
always be in our thoughts and prayers.
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For More Information About KSARDA, Please Contact: info@ksarda.org |
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|
Jennifer Thill,
Deputy
Director
Southern Region |
Annette
Gaston,
Director
|
Mary Meek,
Deputy
Director
Northern Region |
| E-Mail: jthill3@cox.net | E-Mail: bngsar@earthlink.net | E-Mail: marysar@cox.net |
|
Cell:
316-706-6226 |
Home:
913-592-2985 |
Home: 785-286-3397 |
| Pager: 316-577-0301 | Cell: 913-484-9291 | Cell: 785-249-7127 |
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